Nitroalkyl nitrates

ABSTRACT

Nitroalkyl nitrate and peroxynitrates characterized by the formula:   where R and R1 are hydrogen or alkyl of from 1 to 10 carbons, where X is R2O-CN, Cl, phenyl, -ONO2,   where R2 is alkyl of from 1 to 10 carbons or phenyl and R3 is hydrogen, phenyl or alkyl of from 1 to 10 carbons, and where Y is -OONO2 or -ONO2, said nitroalkyl nitrates being prepared by first contacting a substituted alkene of the formula:   where R, R1 and X are as heretofore defined with a mixture of dinitrogen tetroxide and oxygen to form substituted nitroalkyl peroxynitrate of the formula:   D R A W I N G where R, R1 and X are as heretofore defined and second contacting said peroxynitrate with a reducing agent to form said substituted nitroalkyl nitrate, the first and second contacting being conducted in the presence of inert liquid. The nitroalkyl nitrate final products of the invention are useful as fuel additives to increase power output of petroleum distillates such as gasoline and kerosene. Further, they are useful as intermediates in the preparation of surfactants, fuel and lubricant additives, insecticides, fungicides (e.g. controlling early blight in bean plants), pharmaceuticals and polymers.

United States Patent n 1 Cummings NITROALKYL NlTRATES William M. Cummings, Fishkill, NY.

[73] Assignee: Texaco lnc., New York, NY.

[75] Inventor:

The portion of the term of this patent subsequent to May 8, 1990, has been disclaimed.

[22] Filed: Jan. 2, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 430,306

Related US. Application Data [62] Division of Scr. Nor 3| L993, Dec 4. I972, Pat. No. 3,853,944, which is a division of Ser. No 144,2]2, May |7 I971 Pat. No. 1732,28

[ Notice:

[52] US. Cl 260/453 R [51] Int. Cl. v i i it C07C 77/02 [58] Field of Search 260/453 R [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3.458582 7/l969 Lachowicz et al iiiiiiiiiiii a 260/453 R 3.732.283 5/l973 Cummings 260/453 R Primary ExaminerGlennon H. Hollrah Attorney, Agent or Firm-Thomas H, Whaley; Carl G. Ries; Robert A. Kulason [57] ABSTRACT Nitroalkyl nitrate and peroxynitrates characterized by the formula:

where R and R are hydrogen or alkyl of from I to 10 carbons. where X is R O CN Cl, phenyl,

[ *Oct. 7, 1975 where R is alkyl of from l to 10 carbons or phenyl and R" is hydrogen, phenyl or alkyl of from l to lO carbons, and where Y is OONO or ONO said nitroalkyl nitrates being prepared by first contacting a substituted alkene of the formula:

where R. R and X are as heretofore defined with a mixture of dinitrogen tetroxide and oxygen to form substituted nitroalkyl peroxynitrate of the formula:

5 Claims, No Drawings NITROALKYL NITRATES This is a division of Ser. No. 3l L993, filed Dec. 4, 1972, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,853,944, issuing Dec. 10, 1974 which in turn is a division of Ser. No. 144,212, filed May 17, 1971, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,732,283 issuing May 8, 1973.

BACKGROUND OF IN VENTION In the area of petroleum additives there is continual demand for single additives to perform multiple functions. These multipurpose additives are often the result of the sum of the functions of the substituent groups, each substituent contributing to one or more functions. Further, compounds of multisubstituents are also in demand building block intermediates in specialty product manufacture. Often the formation of such multisubstituents is difficult to accomplish since the adding of one substituent to a hydrocarbon backbone often re sults in the undesired prevention, modification or removal of one or more of the other desired substituents thereon or to be placed thereon.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 1 have discovered and this constitutes my invention a new group of nitrate and peroxynitrate compounds containing multiple substituents on a hydrocarbon backbone, the substituent combination in the nitrate subclass being found useful to enhance pour output of petroleum distillates such as gasoline and kerosene. In addition, said nitrate subclass is useful in the preparation of surfactants, lubricant additives, insecticides, fungicides, pharmaceuticals and polymers, e.g., their conversion via reduction to amine followed by reaction with ethylene oxide to form surfactants. ln respect to further uses, acetoxynitro alcohols prepared by hydrogenating acetoxy nitro nitrates are useful as intermediates in the formation of aminodiols which would have use as monomers for dispersant type additives, as sub stances for gas scrubbers and as solvents for extraction processes.

I have unexpectedly discovered that the procedure as generally outlined in US. Pat. No. 3,282,983 is suitable to prepare the multisubstituted products of the invention. One reason for this unexpectcdness prior to the invention was it was not known what the effect of allylic substitution would do to the nitroxidation sequence. Some of the alternative chemical pathways which said procedure could have taken but did not are as follows:

I. The functional group in the allylic position could stabilize any incipient radical being formed at said position. The radical would have been formed by attack at this position by nitrogen dioxide or oxygen. Functional groups such as Cl, 6- and *OR are known to stabilize radicals. If allylic nitroxidation had occurred, a complex mixture would have formed rather than the subject products.

2. If the free radical resulting from the addition of nitrogen dioxide to the double bond was stabilized a possibility could exist that the addition of oxygen might become reversible and more dinitro compound would form. Substituents such as R HCCH2-NO2 where R and R are hydrogen or alkyl of from 1 to It) carbons and X is selected from the group consisting of R O-,

Cl, phenyl (6-) or ONO where R is alkyl of from I to l() carbons or phenyl and R is hydrogen, alkyl of from to It) carbons or phenyl and where Y is ONO or -OONO The products of the invention are prepared in a twostage process as follows:

Stage I In the first stage a substituted alkene of the formula:

where R, R and X are as heretofore defined, is contacted simultaneously with dinitrogen tetroxide and oxygen in a mole ratio substituted alkene to dinitrogen tetroxide to oxygen of between about l:().5:l and 1:1.5230 at a temperature between about 40 and 20C. to form a substituted nitroalkyl peroxynitrate characterized by the formula:

OONO

where R, R and X are as heretofore defined.

Under preferred conditions, oxygen and dinitrogen tetroxide are respectively introduced into the reaction system at a rate of between about 0.5 and 1.8 liters/- minute/kilogram substituted olefins and between about 2 and 20 grams/minute/kilogram substituted alkene. For optimum results it is desirable to adjust conditions of the first stage within the described condition framework so that the reaction mixture remains essentially colorless.

if desired, the formed substituted nitroalkyl peroxynitrate intermediates are normally purified by stripping off of volatiles under reduced pressure or, if of a high enough molecular weight, isolated as insoluble material, e.g., via filtration.

The first stage reaction is also advantageously conducted in the presence of an inert liquid diluent in order to facilitate contact between the substituted alkene, tetroxide and oxygen reactants. The inert liquid diluent desirably constitutes between about 75 and 90 wt. 71 of the reaction mixture. Examples of suitable inert diluents contemplated herein are those inert liquid diluents having a boiling point between about 30 and 100C. such as n-hexane, heptane, diethylether and carbon tetrachloride, the latter being most preferred.

The reaction time of the first stage is normally the time it takes to pass the desired dinitrogen tetroxide into the substituted alkene containing solution.

It is to be noted the dinitrogen tetroxide employed is actually an equilibrium mixture of dinitrogen tetroxide and nitrogen dioxide with thc equilibrium being given to essentially 100% dinitrogen tetroxide at C. and essentially l00'/r nitrogen dioxide at l40C. at l atmosphere pressure. Therefore, hereinbefore and hereinafter the terms "dinitrogen tetroxide and nitrogen dioxide" refer to the equilibrium mixture of N 0 and N0 present at the particular temperature described.

The oxygen employed may be in the form of pure oxygen or a mixture, e.g.. air or in admixture with inert gas such as nitrogen.

Stage ll The recovered substituted nitroalkyl peroxynitrate from the first stage is then contacted with a reducing agent at a temperature between about and C. in a mole ratio of substituted nitroalkyl peroxynitrate to reducing agent of between about i: l and Szl to form the nitroalkyl nitrate product characterized by the formula:

where R, R and X are as heretofore defined. The reaction is normally conducted for the length of time required to add the reducing agent. When the reaction is conducted below room temperature, the final reaction mixture is allowed to warm to room temperature before workup.

The resultant substituted nitroalkyl nitrate can be recovered by standard means such as via fractional distillation under reduced pressure, chromatography and selective removal of impurities by solid absorbents. Generally, fractional distillation is not employed with separation of low molecular weight products due to their heat and shock sensitivity.

As in the first stage, inert liquid diluent is advantageously employed in an amount of between about and wt. based on the reaction mixture to facilitate contact of the reducing agent with the peroxynitrate and normally is the very same inert liquid employed in the first stage. Examples of this inert diluent are those inert liquid diluents recited as suitable in the first stage.

Specific examples of the reducing agents contemplated herein are nitric oxide, trialkylphosphite of 3 to 6 carbons such as trimethylphosphite, triethylphosphite. sulfur dioxides, alkali metal sulfite, bisulfites and thiosulfites such as sodium sulfites, potassium sulfites, sodium disulfites, potassium thiosulfites, aqueous solutions of ferrous salts such as aqueous solutions of ferric chloride and ferrous sulfate.

The procedure can be further described by the following equations utilizing nitric oxide as the reducing agent:

where R and R and X are as heretofore defined.

Specific examples of the substituted alkene reactant,

nitroalkyl peroxynitrate intermediate and nitroalkyl nitrate product contemplated herein are as follows:

where R and R are hydrogen, methyl, pentyl and/or decyl and X is The following operating examples further illustrate the invention but are not to be construed as limitations thereof.

EXAMPLE I This example illustrates the preparation of l-nitro-3 acetoxy-Z-propyl peroxynitrate and l-nitro-3-acetoxy- 2-propyl nitrate.

To a 0. l 3 mole carbon tetrachloride solution of allyl acetate l 3 grams in 100 mls. carbon tetrachloride) maintained at C. there was added 8 mls. (0.13 mole) of nitrogen tetroxixe over a period of 6 hours. The addition is carried out by allowing a stream of oxygen to pass over the liquid nitrogen tetroxide and thence into the reaction vessel. The mole ratio of nitrogen dioxide to oxygen remained at about 1:20 during the reaction. After the nitrogen tetroxide has been added, the oxygen is allowed to flow through the reaction mixture until the solution becomes colorless. Infrared analysis (0.1 mm NaCl cell) of the solution showed that the 1-nitro-3-acetoxy-2-propyl peroxynitrate was present therein (bands at 5.8, 6.4, 7.3 mu). The solvent can be removed therefrom under reduced pressure (about 1-2 mm Hg) to give neat peroxynitrate.

The solution prepared in Stage I was cooled to l0C. There was added 0.055 mole of nitric oxide by passing the nitric oxide through a solution at a flow rate of 60.8 ml. per minute. After this addition, the solution was kept at l0C. for 30 minutes and then allowed to warm to room temperature. The solvent is removed in vacuum to give 21 grams (90% yield) of l-nitro-3- acetoxy-Z-propyl nitrate.

EXAMPLE II This example illustrates the preparation, yield and analysis of a series of specific substituted nitroalkyl nitrate products encompassed by the invention.

l-Nitro-3-formyloxy-2-propyl Nitrate To a 0.1 3 mole 1 1.2 grams) carbon tetrachloride solution of allyl formate there was slowly added 8 mls. (0.13 mole) of nitrogen tetroxide at about 05C. always maintaining the reaction solution colorless. The tuldition was carried out by allowing a stream of oxygen to pass over the liquid nitrogen tetroxide and thence (20:1 oxygen/nitrogen dioxide mole ratio) into the reaction vessel. After the addition, the system was swept with oxygen for 30 minutes and the resultant solution was determined to contain l-nitro--formyloxy-2- propyl peroxynitrate.

This solution was then cooled to l0C. and 0.13 mole of nitric oxide was added at a flow rate of 60.8 ml./min. After this, the solution was kept at --l0C. for 30 minutes and then allowed to warm to room temperature. The solvent was removed in vacuum to give 17.5 grams (70% yield) of l-nitro-3-formyloxy-2-propyl nitrate.

1-Nitro-3-trifluoroacetoyloxy-Z-propyl Nitrate To a 0. l 3 mole 20 grams) carbon tetrachloride solution of allyl trifluoroacetate there was slowly added 80 mls. (0. l 3 mole) of nitrogen tetroxide at about 0-5C. always maintaining the solution reaction colorless. The addition was carried out by allowing a stream of oxygen to pass over the liquid nitrogen tetroxide and thence (20:1 oxygen/nitrogen dioxide mole ratio) into the reaction vessel. After the addition, the system was swept with oxygen for 30 minutes and the resultant solution was determined to contain 1 -nitro-3-trifluoroacetoyloxy-Z-propyl peroxynitrate.

This solution was then cooled to 10C. and 0.13 mole of nitric oxide was added at a flow rate of 60.8 ml./min. After this, the solution was kept at -1 0C. for 30 minutes and then allowed to warm to room temperature. The solvent was removed in vacuum to give 21.8 grams yield) of l-nitro-3-trifluoroacetoyloxy-2- propyl nitrate.

1-Nitro-2-methyl-3-acetoyloxy-2-propyl Nitrate To a 0.13 mole 14.6 grams) carbon tetrachloride solution of methallyl acetate there was slowly added 8.0 mls. (0.13 mole) of nitrogen tetroxide at about 05C. always maintaining the reaction solution colorless. The addition was carried out by allowing a stream of oxygen to pass over the liquid nitrogen tetroxide and thence (20:1 oxygen/nitrogen dioxide mole ratio) into the reaction vessel. After the addition, the system was swept with oxygen for 30 minutes and the resultant solution was determined to contain l-nitro-2-methyl-3-acetoyl- 2-propyl peroxynitrate.

This solution was then cooled to l0C. and 0.13 mole of nitric oxide was added at a flow rate of 60.8 mls./minute. After this, the solution was kept at l 0C. for 30 minutes and then allowed to warm to room temperature. The solvent was removed in vacuum to give 25.0 grams yield) of l-nitro-2-methyl-3- acetoyloxy-Z-propyl nitrate.

1-Nitro-3-propionoyloxy-2-propyl Nitrate To a 0.13 mole 15.2 grams) carbon tetrachloride solution of allyl propionate there was slowly added 8.0 mls. (0.13 mole) of nitrogen tetroxide at about 05C. always maintaining the reaction solution colorless. The addition was carried out by allowing a stream of oxygen to pass over the liquid nitrogen tetroxide and thence (20:1 oxygen/nitrogen dioxide mole ratio) in the reaction vessel. After the addition, the system was swept with oxygen for 30 minutes and the resultant solution was determined to contain 1 -nitro-3-propionoyloxy-2- propyl peroxynitrate.

This solution was then cooled to l0C. and 0.13 mole of nitric oxide was added at a flow rate of 60.8 mls./min. After this, the solution was kept at l0C. for 30 minutes and then allowed to warm to room temperature. The solvent was removed in vacuum to give 25.5 grams yield) of l-nitro-3-propionoyloxy-2-propyl nitrate.

l -Nitro-3-heptanoyloxy-2-propyl-Nitrate To a 0. 1 3 mole (22.0 grams) carbon tetrachloride solution of allyl heptanoate there was slowly added 8.0 mls. (0.13 mole) of nitrogen tetroxide at about 05C. always maintaining the reaction solution colorless. The addition was carried out by allowing a stream of oxygen to pass over the liquid nitrogen tetroxide and thence (20:1 oxygen/nitrogen dioxide mole ratio) into the re action vessel. After the addition, the system was swept with oxygen for 30 minutes and the resultant solution was determined to contain 1-nitro-3-heptanoyloxy-2- propyl peroxynitrate.

This solution was then cooled to lC. and 0.13 mole of nitric oxide was added at a flow rate of 60.8 ml. min. After this, the solution was kept at -l0C. for 30 minutes and then allowed to warm to room temperature. The solvent was removed in vacuum to give 35 grams (97% yield) of l-nitro-3-heptanoyloxy-2-propyl nitrate.

l-Nitro-3-benzoyloxy-2-propyl Nitrate To a 0.1 3 mole (21.0 grams) carbon tetrachloride solution of allyl benzoate there was slowly added 8.0 mls. (0.13 mole) of nitrogen tetroxide at about 05C. al' ways maintaining the reaction solution colorless. The addition was carried out by allowing a stream of oxygen to pass over the liquid nitrogen tetroxide and thence (20:1 oxygen/nitrogen dioxide mole ratio) into the reaction vessel. After the addition, the system was swept with oxygen for 30 minutes and the resultant solution was determined to contain 1-nitro-3-benzoyloxy-3- propyl peroxy nitrate.

This solution was then cooled to -C. and 0.13 mole of nitric oxide was added at a flow rate of 60.8 ml./min. After this, the solution was kept at -l0C. for 30 minutes and then allowed to warm to room temperature. The solvent was removed in vacuum to give 31.4 grams (91% yield) of l-nitro-3-benzoyloxy-2-propyl nitrate.

l-Nitro-3nitrato-3-propyl Nitrate To 110.13 mole 13.5 grams) carbon tetrachloride solution of allyl nitrate there was slowly added 8.0 mls. (0.13 mole) of nitrogen tetroxide at about 05C. always maintaining the reaction solution colorless. The addition was carried out by allowing a stream of oxygen to pass over the liquid nitrogen tetroxide and thence (:1 oxygen/nitrogen dioxide mole ratio) into the reaction vessel. After the addition, the system was swept with oxygen for 30 minutes and the resultant solution was determined to contain l'nitro-3-nitrato-2-propy1 peroxynitrate.

This solution was then cooled to -10C. and 0.13 mole of nitric oxide was added at a flow rate of 60.8 ml./min. After this. the solution was kept at l0C. for 30 minutes and then allowed to warm to room temperature. The solvent was removed in vacuum to give 2.7 grams 10% yield) of l-nitro-3-nitrato-2-propy1 nitrate.

1-Nitro-3-ch1oro-2-propyl Nitrate To a 0.1 3 mole 10 grams) carbon tetrachloride solution of allyl chloride there was slowly added 8.0 mls. (0.13 mole) of nitrogen tetroxide at about 0-5C. always maintaining the reaction solution colorless. The

addition was carried out by allowing a stream of oxygen to pass over the liquid nitrogen tetroxide and thence (20:1 oxygen/nitrogen dioxide mole ratio) into the reaction vessel. After the addition, the system was swept with inygen for 30 minutes and the resultant solution was determined to contain l-nitro-3 chloro-2-propyl peroxynitrate.

This solution was then cooled to l0C. and 0.13 mole of nitric oxide was added at a flow rate of 60.8 ml./min. After this, the solution was kept at 10C. for 30 minutes and then allowed to warm to room temperature. The solvent was removed in vacuum to give 17.7 grams (80% yield) of 1-nitro-3-chloro-2-propyl nitrate.

(2-nitropropyl) ethyl Ether To a 0.13 mole (l 1.11 grams) carbon tetrachloride solution of allyl ethyl ether there was slowly added 8.0 mls. (0.13 mole) of nitrogen tetroxide at about 0C. always maintaining the reaction solution colorless. The addition was carried out by allowing a stream of oxygen to pass over the liquid nitrogen tetroxide and thence (20:1 oxygen/nitrogen dioxide mole ratio) into the reaction vessel. After the addition, the system was swept with oxygen for 30 minutes and the resultant solution was determined to contain (2-peroxynitrats-3- nitropropyl) ethyl ether.

This solution was then cooled to 10C. and 0.13 mole of nitric oxide was added at a flow rate of 60.8 ml./min. After this, the solution was kept at l0C. for 30 minutes and then allowed to warm to room temperature. The solvent was removed in vacuum to give 19.8 grams yield) of (2-nitrato-3-nitropropyl) ethyl ether.

(2-Nitrato-3-nitropropyl) phenyl Ether To a 0.13 mole 17.8 grams) carbon tetrachloride so lution of allyl phenyl ether there was slowly added 8.0 mls. (0.13 mole) of nitrogen tetroxide at about 0C. always maintaining the rcaction solution colorless. The addition was carried out by allowing a stream of oxygen to pass over the liquid nitrogen tetroxide and thence (20:1 oxygen/nitrogen dioxide mole ratio) into the reaction vessel. After the addition, the system was swept with oxygen for 30 minutes and the resultant solution was determined to contain (2-peroxynitrato-3- nitropropyl) phenyl ether.

This solution was then cooled to l0C. and 0.13

mole of nitric oxide was added at a flow rate of 60.8 ml./min. After this, the solution was kept at 10C. for 30 minutes and then allowed to warm to room temperature. The solvent was removed in vacuum to give 24.8 grams (82); yield) of 2-nitrato-3-nitropropyl) phenyl ether.

l-Nitro-3-phenyl-2-propyl Nitrate To a 0.13 mole 15.4 grams) carbon tetrachloride solution of allyl benzene there was slowly added 8.0 mls. (0.13 mole) of nitrogen tetroxide at about 0C. always maintaining the reaction solution colorless. The addition was carried out by allowing a stream of oxygen to pass over the liquid nitrogen tetroxide and thence (20:1 oxygenlnitrogen dioxide mole ratio) into the reaction vessel. After the addition, the system was swept with oxygen for 30 minutes and the resultant solution was determined to contain 1-nitro-3-phenyl- Z-propyl peroxynitrate.

This solution was then cooled to l0C. and 0.13 mole of nitric oxide was added at a flow rate of 60.8 mls./minute. After this, the solution was kept at l0C. for 30 minutes and then allowed to warm to room temperature. The solvent was removed in vacuum to give 260 grams 990% yield) of 1-nitro-3-pheny1-2-propyl nitrate.

l-Nitro-3-cyano-2-propyl Nitrate To a 0.13 mole (8.7 grams) carbon tetrachloride solution of allyl cyanide there was slowly added 8.0 mls. (0.13 mole) of nitrogen tetroxide at about 0C. always maintaining the reaction solution colorless. The addition was carried out by allowing a stream of oxygen to pass over the liquid nitrogen tetroxide and thence (:1 oxygen/nitrogen dioxide mole ratio) into the reaction vessel. After the addition, the system was swept with oxygen for minutes and the resultant solution was determined to contain l-nitro-3-cyano-2-propyl peroxynitrate.

This solution was then cooled to -l()C. and 0.13 mole of nitric oxide was added at a flow rate of 60.8 mls./min. After this, the solution was kept at l()C. for 30 minutes and then allowed to warm to room temperature. The solvent was removed in vacuum to give [5.6 grams (70% yield) of l-nitro-3-cyano-2propyl nitrate.

I claim:

1. A nitroalkyl nitrate characterized by the formula:

where R and R are hydrogen or alkyl of from 1 to 10 carbons, where X is a member selected from the group consisting of R O, Cl and phenyl, and where R is alkyl of from l to 10 carbons or phenyl. 

1. A NITROALKYL NITRATE CHARACTERIZED BY THE FORMULA:
 2. A nitroalkyl nitrate in accordance with claim 1 where R and R1 are hydrogen, and X is cl.
 3. A nitroalkyl nitrate in accordance with claim 1 where R and R1 are hydrogen, and X is C2H5-0-.
 4. A nitroalkyl nitrate in accordance with claim 1 where R and R1 are hydrogen, and X is theta .
 5. A nitroalkyl nitrate in accordance with claim 1 where R is hydrogen, R1 is methyl, and X is cl. 